Upcoming Hearing for Changes to County Plan

By COREY BLUEMELStaff Writer

The Emery County Commission has been at work to amend the county plan to update areas of concern which were not adequately addressed in the original plan. A public hearing was held on Aug. 16 where Alan Thorpe, attorney discussed the additions to the plan. He also attended the commission meeting in Green River to inform those citizens attending of the improvements to the plan.

Thorpe said the county plan will be amended to strengthen language concerning wild and scenic river designation, ATV use, grazing and areas of critical environmental concerns. A public hearing has been set for Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. during commission meeting to address the changes. The public may attend the public hearing to voice any concerns about the proposed amendments to the county plan.

Some of the items are being amended at the request of the Emery County Public Lands Council. Under the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, it states that local planning be observed and followed. The amendments state Emery County's position on matters such as roads and a map will be included that outlines the county travel plan with all the roads to date which have been recorded electronically with GPS at this time and to this date. The wording leaves the plan open for further revision should roads be constructed for growth and expansion in the future.

An update to the previous plan will also support all legitimate forms of recreation not just nonvehicle types and ways to see the country. New types of recreation are growing all the time and attracting people to the area. The plan will accommodate more than just one type of recreation. One major focus will be to promote continued access. The amendment will also address attempts to reinventory wilderness. The county states its opposition to the stopping of the construction of any new roads. Some places may need new access in the future. Some existing user created roads need to be recognized even if they do not qualify as a RS-2477 road. Amendments will allow options to be kept open for the future.

A paragraph has been added concerning wild and scenic river designations. The county states its opposition to any such designation. Dry washes have been identified by the BLM as potential wild and scenic river designations and any such attempts to adjudicate water for these dry washes is vehemently opposed. Copies of the amendments to the plan will be available at the county clerk's office and also at the sheriff's office in Green River. The amendments will also be listed on the county website: emerycounty.com.